Connections 2014
University of Toronto ECE Graduate Symposium
Get Involved, Get Connected!
Connections 2014
Table of Contents
About Connections
History of Connections
Past Participation Statistics
Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto
Connections 2014 Overview
Key Features
Preliminary Schedule
Participate in Connections
Registration & Sponsorship Packages
Registration & Sponsorship Package Details
Company Booth
Company Poster Space
Industry Technical Talks
Networking Dinner Tickets
Event Program
Website
Event Adverts
Proposed Budget
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Connections 2014?
How can I register for Connections?
Who participates in Connections?
What payment methods are accepted?
What are the registration fees?
How can I find more information?
Registration & Sponsorship Form
1Table of Contents
About Connections
1About Connections
The 10th annual ECE Connections Graduate Symposium will be held on Friday May 2nd, 2014, at the University of Toronto. Connections is a one-day symposium organized by graduate students in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Its purpose is to provide a platform for graduate students to present ongoing research within the department. At the same time, it offers an opportunity for students, faculty, and industry representatives to build connections towards future collaborations.
Since its inception in 2005, Connections has featured speakers from various fields of research in both academia and industry. Every year the symposium attracts over 100 attendees. Connections 2014 will again feature a combination of technical programs, panel discussions, industry presentationsand social events. It is a great opportunity for industry representatives to network with talented students and faculty members, and to establish a presence within the University of Toronto community.
If you are interested in participating or would like to obtain additional information, please feel free to inquire at .
1About Connections
"ECE Connections has been a great opportunity for me to learn about my colleagues' work and also to present my research to a group of intelligent researchers and professionals. I have used the feedback gained during Connections to improve my work resulting in good publications."
Navid Toosizadeh, Ph.D.
University of Toronto
History of Connections
1History of Connections
Connectionsbegan as a student initiative in 2005. A group of graduate students in computer engineering realized that despite the wealth of research occurring in the department, most students were not aware of ongoing activities outside of their research group due to the size of the department. As a result, many opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration were lost. The idea of an annual symposium was thus conceived, where graduate students from all research areas could network and engage in an exchange of knowledge and ideas.
The proposal received the support of Professor Jonathan Rose, then Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, who believed that such an event would help build a more vibrant research community. The Connections symposium was thus born: a place where the missing "connections" are made.
Since then, nine symposia have been held, each succeeding in its goal of fostering interconnectivity within the department, as well as serving as a point of contact between academia and industry. Students and industry participants alike have expressed satisfaction with this opportunity to build and strengthen relationships. Connections 2014 will continue this tradition. We look forward to having you onboard!
1History of Connections
Past Participation Statistics
Year / 2009 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013Technical presentations / 35 / 39 / 33 / 33 / 28
Research groupspresent / 8 / 8 / 8 / 8 / 8
Industry participants / 7 / 12 / 13 / 17 / 22
Total attendees (approx.) / 120 / 200 / 150 / 150 / 175
Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto
1Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of Toronto
The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto consistently ranks among top ten ECE departments in North America. Located in the heart of the vibrant cosmopolitan city of Toronto, it attracts outstanding graduate students from all over the world and offers state-of-the-art research facilities. The department hosts a faculty of over 75 professors, many of whom are international leaders in their respective fields.
Research within the department is subdivided into eight major groups: biomedical, communications, computers, electronics, electromagnetics, energy systems, photonics, and systems control. Ongoing research projects encompass a broad range of theoretical and applied endeavours, and are often conducted in close collaboration with industry partners.
1Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of Toronto
"Connections provides an excellent opportunity for the exchange of ideas between graduate students, faculty members, and industry representatives. Industry representatives will get a quick update onmajor research projects throughout the department. Social interaction time and the poster session provide a great opportunity for more in-depth discussions on technicaltopics."
Professor Farid N. Najm
Chair, Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering
1Event Overview
Connections 2014 Overview
Connections 2014 will take place on Friday May 2nd, 2014 at the Bahen Centre for Information Technology (40 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario), located within the University of Toronto’s beautiful downtown campus.
Key Features
- Student Research Presentations: students from the eight ECE research groups (biomedical, communications, computers, electronics, electromagnetics, energy systems, photonics, and systems control) will present exciting ongoing research.
- Industry Booths: Industry representatives and sponsors will have an opportunity to network with symposium attendees at reserved booths located in the center of the symposium floor.
- Industry Presentations: Industry representatives will give invited technical presentations to showcase emerging technologies and share insights on interesting research problems.
- Panel: Industry representatives and selected faculty will discuss the interaction between academic research and industry, and the future of research and innovation in Canada.
- Networking Dinner: An excellent opportunity to build connections in a social environment, bringing together graduate students, faculty, industry representatives, and ECE alumni from numerous fields. Hosted at the University of Toronto’s Hart House.
Preliminary Schedule
8:00 AM / Registration and Breakfast9:00 AM / Welcome Address, Morning Keynote Speech
9:30 AM / Industry Presentations I
10:30 AM / Student Technical Presentations I
11:15 AM / Poster Session I
11:45 AM / Networking Lunch
1:00 PM / Industry Presentations II
2:00 PM / Student Technical Presentations II
2:45 PM / Poster Session II
3:15 PM / Afternoon Keynote Speech
4:00 PM / Student Presentations III
4:30 PM / Industry Presentations III
5:00 PM / Panel
5:45 PM / Closing Remarks
6:00 PM / Networking Dinner & Awards Presentation
1Event Overview
Participate in Connections
1Participate in Connections
Connections owes its success to its participants: both academic researchers and industry representatives. As an industry participant, you will receive the following benefits:
- Foster and strengthen relations with the leading ECE Department in Canada.
- Present ongoing research activities in your company and attract talented students from related fields.
- Receive updates on the most current academic research progress, and provide industry insights to guide academic research.
- Explore possibilities for collaboration.
We have designed four registration and sponsorship packages to suit different levels of industry participation. Should you require any additional features or would like modifications to your package, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to work together to customize the package to your needs.
“Connections provides a great opportunity for making new industry contacts and strengthening old ones, but it is also a time-effective way to discover the key research problems in areas of ECE outside your own study. It's a great way to touch base with the ECE department and your peers.”
Peter Yiannacouras, Ph.D. Alumnus
Nokia Research
1Participate in Connections
Registration & Sponsorship Packages
Platinum* Sponsor / Gold Sponsor / Silver Sponsor / Basic** RegistrationCommitment / $1500 / $1000 / $500 / $125
Company Booth Allocation / 3 slots / 3 slots / 2 slots / 1 slot
Company Poster Space / 2 slots / 2 slots / 1 slot / -
Industry Technical Talk / Guaranteed / Guaranteed / By Invitation / By Invitation
Networking Dinner Tickets / 4 / 4 / 2 / 2
Logo on Event Program / Large,
Front Cover / Large,
Front Cover / Medium,
Front Cover / Small, Back Cover
Website Front Page / Large Logo with Link / Large Logo with Link / Small Logo with Link / -
Listed on Sponsors & Registrants Webpage / / / /
Logo on Event Adverts / / / / -
Networking Dinner Title Sponsor / Company Name is Attached / - / - / -
Invitation to Present Awards at Dinner / / - / - / -
1Registration & Sponsorship Packages
1Proposed Budget
Registration & Sponsorship Package Details
Company Booth
An exhibition booth with seating for company representatives will be provided for the duration of the symposium. In addition, all sponsoring companies are welcome to provide promotional materials (e.g. pens, paper pads, USB drives) to be included in the conference package received by all attendees. The total space allocated to the booth is determined by the chosen registration/sponsorship package.
Company Poster Space
Space will be provided for company posters to be prominently displayed in the symposium lobby. Space allocation and the number of poster stands provided is based on the chosen registration/sponsorship package.
Industry Technical Talks
Depending on interest and availability, representatives from participating companies may be invited to give technical presentations at the symposium. Gold and Platinum sponsors will be guaranteed a dedicated presentation timeslot to highlight their organization’s activities to all participating ECE graduate students and faculty – please contact us to discuss further details.
Networking Dinner Tickets
Participants will be issued tickets to attend the dinner and awards presentation based on their level of commitment. The Platinum-level sponsor will have their name affiliated with the dinner as well as the opportunity to present the event awards – please contact us to discuss further details.
Event Program
The Connections 2014 program, containing the finalized symposium timetable and supplementary information about invited speakers and presentations, is printed in full-colour and given to all symposium participants. Gold and Platinum sponsors will have their logos prominently featured on the front cover of the program; logos one-third of this size will also be featured on the front page for Silver sponsors. Basic registrants will be permitted to place small logos on the back cover of the program.
Website
Platinum and Gold sponsors will have their company logos featured on the Connections 2014 homepage at a size of no less than 210 by 350 pixels with an embedded hyperlink to their website. The website will contain a separate page listing all sponsors and industry registrants with hyperlinks.
Event Adverts
Any visual promotional materials (e.g. posters, banners) for the event will display the logos of all Platinum, Gold and Silver sponsors.
1Registration & Sponsorship Package Details
1Proposed Budget
Proposed Budget
2013 Actual / 2014 ProjectedI. Revenues
Budget Surplus from previous year / 2,364.86 / 2,200.00
Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering / 3,000.00 / 3,000.00
Faculty of Engineering / 1,000.00 / 1,000.00
Industry Sponsorship / 2,999.43 / 4,000.00
Student Group Sponsorship / 700.00 / 1,000.00
Total Revenues / $10,064.29 / $11,200.00
2013 Actual / 2014 Projected
II. Expenses
Advertising Expenses
Program Booklets / 0.00 / 900.00
Posters / 25.00 / 100.00
Banners / 0.00 / 150.00
Conference Packages / 2,397.38 / 2,500.00
Student Speaker & Early Bird Awards / 774.30 / 800.00
Audio Visual setup fees / 797.50 / 800.00
Catering Expenses
Breakfast and Lunch / 1,408.24 / 1,800.00
Dinner / 3,180.00 / 3,700.00
Miscellaneous Expenses
Domain Registration, Conference Badges, Volunteer Appreciation, etc. / 195.03 / 200.00
Total Expenses / $8,777.45 / $10,950.00
* Projected expenses are based on our best estimates as well as actual figures from past symposia; we have striven to make these as accurate as possible. Any budget surplus will be used towards the organization of future Connections symposia.
1Proposed Budget
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Connections 2014?
The next Connections ECE Graduate Symposium will take place on Friday May 2nd, 2014 at the Bahen Centre for Information Technology (40 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario). /How can I register for Connections?
To register, please send an e-mail to:with the name of your desired registration/sponsorship package in the subject line. We will walk you through the registration process.
Who participates in Connections?
Connections is attended by graduate students from professors from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto, as well as industry representatives from technology companies in the southern Ontario. We also invite our ECE alumni to participate in our social events. /What payment methods are accepted?
The preferred method of payment is by cheque, made payable to “The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering” and sent to the following address:Connections 2012 c/o Krisztina Harmath
University of Toronto
The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering
10 King's College Rd. Toronto
ON M5S 3G4
What are the registration fees?
Please refer to “Registration & Sponsorship Packages” for the fees associated with your package. Registration is free for students, faculty and anyone affiliated with the ECE Department. /How can I find more information?
For more information, please contact our Connections team directly at:Alternatively, feel free to browse our website at:
connections2014/Connections2014.htm
1Frequently Asked Questions
Registration & Sponsorship Form
After registering with us, please complete this form and return it to the following address with payment. Please make cheques payable to “The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering”.
Address:
Connections 2014 c/o Krisztina Harmath
University of Toronto
The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering
10 King's College Rd. Toronto
ON M5S 3G4
Chosen Package: Platinum Gold Silver Basic
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1Connections 2014 – Registration & Sponsorship Form